Editorial Commentary: What is Optimal Antimicrobial Therapy for Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and accounts for approximately two-thirds of cases of CAP associated with mortality [1]. The mortality rate associated with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is 6%–20% [2]. Thus, bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia has significant clinical importance, and any new information that may lead to better outcomes is welcomed. In this issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Martínez et al. [3] report a study that examined the effect of initial antimicrobial treatment (before the results of blood cultures were known) of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia and concluded that not adding a macrolide is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality [3]. This observation has significant therapeutic implications and, therefore, requires close scrutiny and analysis.